All You Need to Know About Water Leak Detection Systems

It is not uncommon to have a leaky pipe in your home and many factors could be responsible for such an occurrence. Some of these factors include bad plumbing materials, human error, burst pipes, and wrong connections.

Recently, the damage claims caused by water leak is double that of break-ins and fire combined. As a result, many are taking smart precautions to avoid damage to their homes and properties with the aid of water leak detection systems.

To help you join the ranks of these wise homeowners, we will be giving you a detailed explanation of what these detection systems are. We will explain how they work, how to maintain them, and their life expectancy.

You are about to get served with a lot of information…

Water Leak Detection System – What is it?

Not only one type of this system is available, rather there are several products from different brands being sold today. So, when we say leak detection system, we are talking about a device that detects leaks or even running/overflowing water and notifies you by sounding an alarm.

Peradventure you are at home during such an incident, you will hear the alarm and then you can shut the water supply. However, if you are not at home, the water will just continue leaking or running. Therefore, to prevent major damage to your home or property, you need to be at home.

The above is the basic type of detection system. A better system is called a “flow interrupter”. A system such as this will interrupt water flow when a leak is detected. You can rest assured that it will not interrupt the normal flow except an issue is detected. Hence, you do not have to be at home 24/7 to secure your home and property.

Flow interrupters are permanently installed and can be programmed to fit the specific needs of the building. They can either be installed when the building is being constructed or retrofitted into an already existing building. Such installations require the aid of a professional installer who will do so for a fee. Visit https://behrtech.com/blog/water-leak-detector-types-for-smart-buildings/ to learn more about water detector types for smart homes.

How do they Work?

Apart from shutting off the water supply when there is a leakage, flow interrupters can also turn off the water flow if it is above the limit that was originally set.

Some of them can even notify you by sending a text message to your phone. Some can send a notification when their batteries are low, or it detects a low-level temperature that could cause the pipe to freeze and then burst. These kinds of systems make use of sensors that are strategically placed close to pipe seams, plumbing fixtures, washing machines, and dishwashers.

What to do after a Leak Detection

Once a leak occurs, the detection system will immediately sound the alarm or reduce the water flow. It will then reduce the level of damage to your building. If the damage is too much, we recommend you contact an insurance provider who will educate you on what you can do to salvage the situation.

Maintaining your Leak Detection System

For these systems, the requirement need is very little. However, the screen might need washing when blocked as a result of hard water. This scenario is peculiar to those who live in areas that have hard water.

Concerning screen washing, you do not even have to constantly check the system because it will notify you of the issue.

Another way to ensure it is working properly is to intentionally trip it once in six months. This way, you can ascertain that it is shutting off and turning on properly. Furthermore, this action will confirm the active status of the solenoid.

Another way to maintain it is to schedule yearly inspections by a certified professional.

If all these are followed, most systems are supposed to last for a lifetime. So, it is not a device that you will be replacing any time soon. Click here for more information on leak detectors.

And having a leak detection system will ensure that you are not cheated out of any damage insurance claim. It also allows you to access a premium discount on your house insurance.

Precautions to Avert Water Damage

The installation of a leak detection system will reduce the occurrence of water destruction to your home. However, water can still enter your house in other ways. Hence, the need to take the following precautions…

• Anything of value that is stored in the basement should be kept in thick plastic bins. This will prevent damages to those items if water enters your basement.
• Do not leave your important digital storage devices on the floor. Always keep them above ground (5cm minimum).
• If you made any recent renovation, you need to check with your insurance agent to know if your insurance still covers it. While most homeowners insurance covers new renovations, you might have to increase your coverage limits to accommodate the renovations.
• Whenever you have a plumber in your home for any reason, spare some change and ask him to quickly check other plumbing and other devices and constructs.
• Always examine the heater for leakage from time to time. Do the same for your refrigerator or dishwasher. It is better to take care of a little leak now to prevent an expensive repair in the future.

Conclusion

Leaks happen and the extent to which we can prevent such is not absolute. However, with the aid of a detection system, you can rest much easier knowing that pipe leakage is constantly being monitored.